AeroVironment (AV) has secured a $405-million order for laser weapons from a Middle Eastern customer, expanding the company’s push to sell directed-energy systems for counter-drone defense.
The deal covers AV’s LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems, designed to counter Group 1 to 3 unmanned aircraft. The company did not identify the buyer, disclose the number of systems included, or provide a delivery schedule.
The deal comes as militaries in the Middle East face growing threats from relatively inexpensive attack drones, including Iran’s Shahed series. Such drones can be launched in large numbers, forcing air defenders to weigh the cost of using expensive missile interceptors against lower-cost aerial threats.
AV said LOCUST X3 can provide a more cost effective option for engaging repeated drone attacks. The company also plans to establish a maintenance and sustainment depot in the buyer’s country. The facility would provide repairs, technical support, training, and lifecycle services.
“Our customers need proven defenses they can field rapidly and sustain over time,” AV CEO Wahid Nawabi said. “LOCUST X3 changes the economics of defeating drones while preserving traditional interceptors for higher-end threats.”
LOCUST X3 Laser Defense System
LOCUST X3 is AeroVironment’s third-generation directed-energy weapon designed to destroy small and medium-sized drones using a high-energy laser instead of conventional ammunition.
It uses sensors and tracking software to locate aerial targets and maintain precise laser aim during an engagement. The AV_Halo Pinpoint fire-control software is designed to keep the laser focused on maneuvering targets. The system can be integrated with external sensors and command-and-control networks.
LOCUST X3 is designed for fixed installations and mobile platforms, giving operators options for protecting military bases, critical infrastructure, and deployed forces. Its modular architecture also allows integration into broader air defense networks.
The system is part of a wider effort to move high-energy lasers from testing into operational service. In September, the US Army selected AV’s LOCUST family for its Enduring-High Energy Laser program, with the company set to deliver dozens of systems under a contract valued at $464.8 million.
